LOCAL EXPERIENCES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1847, 15 April 1887, Page 7

LOCAL EXPERIENCES.

(Contributions detailing experiences inform and itation management are heartily welcome for inter' tion under this head.) WINTER FEED FOR STOCK. After the bitter experiences many of our farmers had last winter and many other winters for want of feed for their stock, I am surprised that so few seem to be taking advantage of the late suitable weather for making an effort to supplement their too often scanty crop of turnips. Many, I daresay, are not aware at how little expense it may be done, especially in a year like this when the grain crops have, in most instances, been removed in good time to give an opportunity for ploughing a few acres of stubble and sowing with rye, winter tares, Cape barley, or even oats, if none of the others are to be had. Of course, in order to give any stolen crop a fair chance, certain conditions are required, such as the land must oe in good heart, if possible have a northern aspect, and securely fenced, for it is wonderful how all kinds of stock will find access to crops of this sort when pinched for food during winter or early spring. Stubble turnips, about which so much has been'written, may Big of service in the North, where the harvests are so very early, but judging from trials I have given them no dependence can be placed on them here. Feed that might keep many a farmer's sheep in a marketable condition for a few weeks longer in spring, or prove the salvation of his young cattle, might be produced by merely scarifying the surface of a stubble paddock with a grubber, and sowing the same with rye or oats. It would be interesting to many of your readers to hear the experiences of some of those who have been trying .to add to their supply of winter food in this way. April 5. Observer.